NUMEROUS WEATHER RELATED TRAFFIC CRASHES

A Number of weather related traffic crashes were reported over the weekend. 

In Howard County, 54 year old Kimberly A. Test of Mexico was westbound on Route E, just east of County Road 207 when her vehicle was struck head on by an eastbound auto driven by 18 year old Gordon Starke of Fayette. Starke had moderate injuries. That accident occurred at 2:50 PM yesterday (SUN) afternoon. A Carrollton driver was killed in a collision on Highway 24, just west of County Road 335 at 3:05 pm Friday. The patrol said 32 year old Wilson Hope of Carrollton was westbound when she lost control of her vehicle and it started sliding sideways into the eastbound lane and impacted with an eastbound vehicle, driven by 55 year old Gabriel Zamarrida  (Zam-ma-rida) of Marshall, MO. After impact, both vehicles came to rest in the westbound lane. Wilson was pronounced dead at the scene by the Carrolton County Coroner.

COLUMBIA HARD HIT BY WINTER STORM TRYING TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATIONS

The major winter storm that began on Friday, Jan. 11 continues to affect some travel, power and City services in Columbia. All available City resources continue to be utilized in responding to the storm to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community members. The City of Columbia appreciates the community’s continued patience and understanding as we work to recover from this large winter event. Power Outages: Less than 100 City of Columbia Utilities customers are currently without power. Numerous power outages occurred due to the heavy snow causing trees and limbs to sag on power lines. Crews are working 16 hour shifts to restore power as soon as possible. As of Sunday afternoon, power has been restored to approximately 8,000 customers. The City requested mutual aid assistance from other electric utilities to help in restoring power to the customer outages throughout the city. Crews from Macon, Palmyra, Waynesville and Rolla responded to the request. Contractors PAR Electrical and Asplundh are also helping in their areas of expertise. While thousands of customers’ power was restored Sunday, there is the possibility that some customers will go without power into Monday, Jan. 14, due to severe tree damage caused by the storm, leaning into power lines in some parts of the City. Roads: Road crews from Columbia, Boone County and MoDOT were out in force. Almost 70 City of Columbia team members from various departments were working on plowing and treating Columbia streets concentrating on residential and downtown areas. Crews will continue to work 24 hours a day until the job is done. Restrictions on Priority Snow Routes in Columbia are being enforced and residents are asked to remove vehicles from marked priority routes to allow for easier snow clearing. Vehicles not removed may be ticketed or towed at the owner’s expense. Crews plan to continue to work 24/7 until all streets are passable by a front wheel drive vehicle. Solid Waste: The Solid Waste Utility will run its normal collection schedule this week, though delays are possible. Curbside customers should place secured materials on their driveway or in an area that’s accessible by crews without them having to step over snow banks Transit: Go COMO, Columbia’s public transit system, is scheduled to resume its regular fixed route service Monday, Jan. 14. Para-transit service is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. for medical appointments and employment rides only. Airport:Columbia Regional Airport’s main runway is open to commercial and general aviation traffic. Individual airlines will determine their flight status into and out of COU. Travelers should check their flight status with their airline. The airport was closed for a time after a jet became stuck after landing and 80 people on board the plane had to be resuced. Parks and Recreation: The Activity & Recreation Center (ARC) will resume operations Monday, Jan. 14. The facility is scheduled to open at its normal time of 5:30 a.m.

Weekend Report- January 12-13, 2019

WOMAN INJURED IN JEFFERSON COUNTY ACCIDENT

A woman was injured in an accident that occurred at 2pm Friday in Jefferson County.  The patrol says that 68 year old Betty Boyd of House Springs was on Highway 21 when her car began sliding on the snow covered roadway, traveled off the right edge of the ramp and overturned towards the driver side and it came to rest facing southeast in a rock lined ditch.  She was transported by ambulance to Mercy Hospital South for treatment of moderate injuries.

DRIVER HURT IN FRIDAY AFTERNOON CRASH

A New Haven driver was hurt in a Friday afternoon crash in Franklin County.  59 year old Julie Amrien was on Route KK when she failed to maintain control of her Toyota 4Runner and it ran off the right side of the road and struck a tree.  She sustained minor injuries and was taken to Mercy Hospital in Washington for treatment. 

O’FALLON WOMAN HURT IN ST. CHARLES COUNTY WRECK

An O’Fallon woman was hurt in a one-vehicle wreck Friday afternoon in St. Charles County.  62 year old Vickie Nanney was on St. Paul Road and driving too fast for conditions when her truck traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned.  She was taken to St. Joseph West Hospital in Lake St. Louis for treatment of minor injuries.

January 11, 2019

WINTER WEATHER EXPECTED FRIDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT

A statewide winter storm and playoff football crowds could lead to traffic slowdowns this weekend.

The Missouri Department of Transportation urges drivers to use caution as snow is forecast on Friday and road conditions may be slippery at times. If you have to travel, please allow extra time to reach your destination. According to the National Weather Service, the storm system will pass through Missouri from the southwest to the northeast on Friday and continue into Saturday night. Snow accumulations up to 10 inches are predicted for parts of the state. There is also the possibility of sleet and light freezing rain in some areas. Increased traffic is expected in the Kansas City area this weekend as the Chiefs host the Indianapolis Colts in a divisional round playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday. Kick-off is at 3:35 p.m. In addition, many students will be returning to college campuses after the winter break, which means more vehicles on the road. To check road conditions please go to MoDOT’s Traveler Information Map at http://traveler.modot.org/map/  MoDOT also provides road condition information through its Customer Service Center. Dial 888-ASK-MODOT (888-275-6636) to speak with a customer service representative 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

CAR COLLIDES WITH TRAIN IN RALLS COUNTY

A Monroe City driver failed to stop at a railroad crossing and struck a train around 3:30 PM Thursday afternoon. The patrol reports the incident happened in Ralls County on Hazzard Lane, 3 miles southeast of Monroe City.  The patrol said 44 year old Ryan R. Cobb of Moberly was operating the train and was traveling westbound when it was struck in the right front by a northbound car operated by 21 year old Olivia S. Keiser of Monroe City. Neither Cobb or Keiser were injured, however a passenger in the Keiser vehicle identified as 17 year old Alexia M. Ytell of Monroe City received minor injuries and was transported to Hannibal Regional Hospital by Monroe County Ambulance personnel.

WORK CONTINUES ESTABLISHING MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM IN MISSOURI

Following the majority of Missourians’ November 2018 vote to adopt Constitutional Amendment 2, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) began accepting pre-filed license application fees for medical marijuana facilities on Jan. 7 and is now in the process of forming rules for the program.

DHSS has accepted more than 250 forms and over $2 million in application fees this week.  The department is currently on schedule to establish program rules in order to efficiently regulate and control the cultivation, manufacturing and sale of marijuana for medical use.As part of its effort to gather all relevant input, DHSS has established a new page on its medical marijuana program website where it will begin releasing initial drafts of its rules for public review. In the coming months, interested individuals should monitorwww.health.mo.gov/safety/medical-marijuana/index.php for new drafts, which will be posted as soon as they are available. Suggestions for these initial drafts may be submitted through the Suggestion Form on that page. The collection of non-refundable pre-filed license application fees is ongoing, and early submission of application fees does not guarantee a license or provide any competitive advantage in the application process. Official application forms will be available no later than June 4, 2019.

Application fee payments may be made by personal or certified check, cashier’s check or money orders made payable to Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.  Cash will not be accepted.  Any application fee must be accompanied by a completed Pre-Filed Application Fee Form available at

https://health.mo.gov/safety/medical-marijuana/index.php.

Payment and the Pre-Filed Application Fee Form may be mailed to:

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
FEE RECEIPT UNIT
P.O. Box 570, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570

Or personally delivered during business hours to:

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
920 Wildwood Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109

January 10, 2019

RANDOLPH COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTY IN WRECK WHILE PURSUING SUSPECT

A Randolph County Sheriff’s Deputy sustained minor injuries when he crashed his patrol vehicle while in pursuit of a vehicle failing to yield. The highway patrol said 36 year old Deputy Randall M. Mathews of Huntsville was southbound on County Road 2580, 2 miles east of Higbee at 2:36 Wednesday morning pursuing the suspect vehicle when his auto traveled off the south side of the roadway and struck two fences. The suspect vehicle also crashed when it went off the south side of the roadway, struck a fence and a ditch. It was driven by 27 year old Cody O. Downing of Moberly who also received minor injuries. He was transported by Randolph County Ambulance Personnel to Moberly Regional Medical Center.  Mathews sustained minor injuries and was transported by Randolph County Ambulance to University Hospital in Columbia. The investigation is continuing.

COMMENTS REQUESTED ON NEW STREET LIGHTS FOR THE DOWNTOWN COLUMBIA AREA

City of Columbia Utilities and the Columbia Police Department are holding an interested parties meeting regarding the new street lights for the downtown Columbia area. The meeting will be held Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 701 E. Broadway.  The public is invited to attend and provide their input on the six new street lights that have been installed and are being tested on portions of East Broadway. An online survey will be available at CoMo.gov for those who would like to offer feedback.

AREA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN ACT/SAT WEEKEND BOOT CAMP AT MMA IN MEXICO

High school students seeking to improve their ACT/SAT scores will find help at the comprehensive ACT/SAT Weekend Boot Camp to be held at Missouri Military Academy (MMA) in Mexico, Missouri on Feb, 1-3. Students who complete the boot camp average three to seven points of improvement on the ACT, and 150 to 200 points of improvement on the SAT. These point improvements represent a 30 to 40 percent percentile increase in scores. Led by Tutors Across America, the immersive three-day boot camp will teach all sections of the tests in one weekend. The camp also includes two full-length exams of each type. The camp will be held at MMA, located at 204 N. Grand Street, Mexico, MO  65265. Hours of the boot camp will be Friday, Feb. 1 from 4:00 to 8:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 2 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Cost of the camp is $149, with discount coupon code MISSOURIMILITARY.  Registration is available at tutorsacrossamerica.com/actcourse.

January 9, 2019

MEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN TUESDAY NIGHT ACCIDENT

Two men were seriously injured in an accident that occurred at around 5:45pm Tuesday in Morgan County.  53 year old Richard Siebenmorgen of Blue Springs was on Route O when his truck crossed the center line and traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a tree.  He along with his passenger 46 year old David Faulkner of Camdenton sustained serious injuries.  The driver was taken to Lake Regional Hospital while his passenger was taken to University Hospital in Columbia for treatment.

THREE HURT IN WARREN COUNTY WRECK

Three people were hurt in a two vehicle wreck Tuesday afternoon in Warren County.  The patrol says that 20 year old Wyatt Wielms of Warrenton was on Route M when he fell asleep, causing his truck to cross the center of the road and into the eastbound lane where it struck the right side of a Ford Explorer driven by 53 year old Karla Stribling of Warrenton and after impact both vehicles ran off the south side of Route M.  Wyatt Wielms along with two passengers in the Explorer 20 year old Kadie Aschoff and 15 year old Jolea Stribling were taken to St. Joseph West Hospital in Lake St. Louis for treatment of their injuries.

MDC ANNOUNCES TEMPORARY CLOSURE AT RANACKER CONSERVATION AREA IN PIKE COUNTY

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will temporarily close access to the north part of Ranacker Conservation Area, including access to the shooting range, to allow for construction of a new bridge. Access to the conservation area from Missouri Highway RA will be closed from Jan. 7 – March 15 pending completion of the project. Construction crews will replace the existing low-water crossing with a new bridge that will carry the north access road over Peno Creek. The road closure cuts off access to the area’s shooting range. Area users may continue to access the property on its south and southeast sides via county roads 48 and 50. These access points offer parking, camping, and an ADA-accessible privy. However, the shooting range will remain inaccessible until the bridge project is complete. “This project will improve access for area users,” said MDC Wildlife Management Biologist and Ranacker Conservation Area Manager Mike Flaspohler. “During high flows on Peno Creek, access to the range and the north part of the conservation area is cut off. The new bridge will provide more dependable access to the area, especially during heavy rains when the creek rises rapidly.” Ranacker Conservation Area consists of more than 1,800 acres of timber, grasslands, agricultural lands, and old fields characterized by narrow valleys with numerous rock overhangs. Peno Creek traverses the northern portion of the area, providing more than a mile of stream frontage. The area marks a point where river hills break away from prairie and is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, turkey, and bobwhite quail. Management of the area focuses on providing wildlife habitat by maintaining timber edges and old fields, prescribed timber harvest, and rotating agricultural crops. MDC thanks area users for their patience during the installation of this important infrastructure improvement.

January 8, 2019

ROBBERY SUSPECT IN CUSTODY-MORE ARRESTS EXPECTED

On Monday, December 31, 2018, at approximately 10:45PM, the Mexico Public Safety Department responded to the Casey’s Convenience Store located in the 1700 block of East Liberty in Mexico in reference to a robbery.  Investigation led to the arrest of Jacob R Boyle, age 28 of Mexico, on Friday, January 4, 2019 at approximately 12:57PM.  Boyle was processed at MPSD and later transported to the Audrain County Jail for Robbery 1^st Degree.  Evidence collected during the investigation indicates that it was Boyle that went into the store.  The incident is still under investigation and it is anticipated that others will be charged as well.

CALLAWAY COUNTY AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATING HOMICIDE

KMIZ TV and KMIZ.com is reporting that Callaway Counties authorities have identified the victim that they said was found dead Sunday night near the 1500 block of Old Highway 40. Deputies responded to a shots fired call and found Lauro Garza-Perez, 34, of Columbia. The Callaway County Sheriff said he could not provide the cause of death. An autopsy conducted Monday by the Boone County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed that authorities are conducting a homicide investigation. The Callaway County Sheriff's Office continues to work with the Boone County Sheriff's Department and the Columbia Police Department. If you have any information, you can call the Callaway County Crimestoppers number at 573-592-2474, and you can remain anonymous. 

RANDOLPH COUNTY SUSPECTS IN DOUBLE HOMICIDE IN COURT MONDAY

The 4 individuals arrested and charged in connection with the shooting deaths of Darren Tharp and Shane Austin Hare of Columbia were in Randolph County court Monday and all 4 waived their arraignments. Tharp and Hare were found dead from gunshot wounds in a vehicle on December 29. According to court documents, the shootings happened early in the morning of December 28.  20-year-old Christopher Esry, 40-year-old Aaron Bloss, 29-year-old Travis Koenig and 22-year-old Steven Bell have each been charged in connection with the shooting deaths. All four suspects were arrested on January 1, the same day charges were filed. Bloss, Esry and Koenig have bonds set at $1 million cash. Bell has bond set at $100,000. All four defendants were scheduled for a preliminary hearing setting date on February 25^th.

DEPARTMENT AWARDS MORE THAN $80,000 TO EXPAND CALLAWAY COUNTY SEWER DISTRICT FEASIBILITY STUDY

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded $80,776 in grant funding to the Mid-Missouri Regional Planning Commission to further develop plans for the Callaway County Sewer District. The grant allows the planning commission to expand upon a prefeasibility study completed in 2016 and to identify the optimal location to construct the district’s first centralized county wastewater system.

The expanded study area will address the wastewater treatment needs of additional residential and commercial occupants, and a centralized wastewater collection and treatment system is expected to increase economic development opportunities within the area. The Mid-Missouri Regional Planning Commission has identified the lack of wastewater infrastructure as one of the most significant barriers to economic development along I-70 where Boone County borders Callaway County.

Formation of the Callaway County Regional Sewer District was approved by voters on August 7, 2018. The feasibility study will provide county leaders with a clear plan for administratively and financially establishing the county sewer district, along with an outline for the initial phases of wastewater treatment consolidation to be undertaken by the district. Feasibility study contributing partners include the Callaway County Commission and the Callaway County Health Department.

For more information, contact the department's Water Protection Program at fac@dnr.mo.gov or 573-751-1300. 

January 7, 2019

WAVERLY MAN ARRESTED IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY

The highway patrol arrested 21 year old Austin W. Leroy of Waverly at 2:50 PM Sunday in Montgomery County. He was wanted on a misdemeanor Carroll County Warrant for failure to appear for no insurance. He was taken to the Montgomery County jail in lieu of bond.

BOONVILLE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES IN SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH

A Boonville man has minor injuries but refused treatment after crashing his vehicle at the intersection of Route F and Route B in Cooper County at 1:15 Sunday morning. The patrol said 18 year old Hayden G. Dufur was eastbound when his pickup struck an embankment after failing to stop at a stop sign. He was charged with DWI-1^st offense and taken to the Cooper County Jail in lieu of bond.

RAYTOWN DRIVER IN COOPER COUNTY WRECK

The highway patrol reports a Raytown driver was taken to the hospital following a one vehicle accident in Cooper County at 3:41 PM Sunday. According to the report, 25 year old Destanee R. Foster was eastbound on Interstate 70 at the 94 mile marker when her auto went off the left side of the road and struck the median cables. She was transported with serious injuries by Cooper County Ambulance to University Hospital in Columbia for treatment. The Cooper County Sheriff’s Department and Cooper County Fire Department provided on-scene assistance.

CHILD DIES AFTER BEING STRUCK BY VEHICLE AT BATTLE HIGH SCHOOL FRIDAY

A four year old Child is dead after being struck by a Columbia Police vehicle at Battle School  Friday afternoon. The patrol reports the crash occurred in the parking lot of Battle High School at 3:56 pm Friday when a police car driven by Columbia Police Officer 27 year old Andria E. Heese of Columbia was eastbound in a roundabout at the west entrance to the high school. The driver exited the left side of the roadway with the intention of parking on the sidewalk so that the driver could observe students loading onto the school busses as a 4 year old was walking on the sidewalk and was struck by the police cruiser.  The 4 year old girl that was struck was identified as Gabriella Curry of Columbia. She was transported to University Hospital in Columbia by University of Missouri Hospital EMS where she was pronounced deceased. The patrol’s Major Crash Investigation Unit conducted the crash investigation. A Prayer vigil was held Saturday night where signs, balloons and candles lit up the front of Battle High School in honor of the 4 year old.

Weekend Report- January 5-6, 2019

MAN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN SATURDAY MORNING ACCIDENT

A Tuscumbia man was seriously injured in an accident that occurred at 6:30am Saturday morning in Miller County.  The patrol says that 26 year old Sawyer Rush was on US 54 when his Hummer struck an unoccupied Chevy Trailblazer parked on the shoulder and then it went off the right side of the road, overturned, struck several trees and came to rest in a creek.  He was taken to Lake Regional Hospital with serious injuries.

DRIVER SERIOUSLY INJURED IN FRANKLIN COUNTY WRECK

A driver was seriously injured in a one-vehicle wreck Friday afternoon in Franklin County.  65 year old David Gumpenberger of Villa Ridge was on Route B when he failed to negotiate a curve, causing his car to travel off the right side of the roadway and overturned several times before it returned to the road where it came to rest.  He was transported by ambulance to Mercy Hospital in Washington with serious injuries.

WOMAN HURT IN SUNDAY MORNING CRASH

A woman was hurt in a Sunday morning crash in Franklin County.  69 year old Linda Civey of Caledonia, MO was on Highway 47 when her truck ran off the east side of the road and struck two mailboxes.  She was taken to Mercy Hospital in Washington for treatment of minor injuries.

January 4, 2019

NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL SWORN IN AT JEFFERSON CITY

Eric Schmitt was sworn in as Missouri’s 43rd Attorney General today at the Missouri Supreme Court in a ceremony led by Chief Justice Zel Fischer.  In remarks following the swearing-in, Schmitt emphasized his duty is to protect Missourians, and to serve as the lawyer for all six million Missourians.  Governor Mike Parson announced the appointment of Schmitt as Missouri’s Attorney General on November 13, 2018. Schmitt previously served as Missouri’s 46th State Treasurer.  During his time as State Treasurer, he protected Missouri taxpayers, supported small businesses, and empowered individuals and families.  While Treasurer, he maintained Missouri’s AAA bond rating while overseeing the state’s $3.6 billion investment portfolio. Schmitt also previously served two terms in the Missouri State Senate and as an Alderman for the city of Glendale.  In these roles, he worked to cut taxes for working families, improve educational opportunities for Missouri children, and advocate for those with special needs. Schmitt attended DeSmet Jesuit High School and continued his education to graduate cum laude from Truman State University, where he founded a Habitat for Humanity chapter. After graduation, he attended law school at Saint Louis University where he received his J.D. and served as an editor of the Law Review. He and his wife, Jaime, have three children, Stephen, Sophia, and Olivia.

MOBERLY POLICE TAKE PERSON INTO CUSTODY WITHOUT INCIDENT THURSDAY AFTERNOON

A Columbia TV Station is reporting the Moberly Police Department took one person into custody after the person showed signs of mental distress and refused to let police into the home. KMIZ TV is reporting the situation happened Thursday afternoon in the area of Williams Street and resulted in St. Pius X School and Early Childhood Center to divert its pickup location for students. Officers were cautious with the situation as they could not confirm the subject was unarmed at the time, said Moberly police Chief Troy Link. Moberly officers, crisis negotiators and Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers were on scene. The subject was taken into custody without incident, Link said. According to St. Pius X School and Early Childhood Center, Williams Street was shut down, and students were dismissed from the east side of the building on Clark Street. A school official said Moberly police directed them to dismiss on the other side of the building. The school official did not have any other information about what was going on.

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES REGARDING SOUTH DAKOTA WOMAN KILLED IN I70 SHOOTING

The investigation continues and now the number of leads being pursued adds up to more than 90 in the death of Melissa Peskey. She was the South Dakota woman found shot to death in her car while her two children were in the back seat.  The patrol continues to solicit and pursue leads in the mysterious death.

January 3, 2019